Last Tuesday YWN reported that a Shul in Bnei Brak had been vandalized and that numerous Sifrei Torah had been stolen from the Aron Kodesh which is built with an internal safe. The shul was ransacked and the Sifrei Torah were valued at hundreds of thousands of shekel.

Police investigators immediately headed to the Orot HaTorah Shul on Rabbi Akiva Street in the city where the incident took place and began a thorough investigation utilizing a special unit of detectives. The intense investigation led to the discovery and eventual recovery of the Sifrei Torah on Sunday morning. The Sifrei Torah were found in a sheep shed in Kfar Akraba in Samaria. Five suspects were arrested and the Torahs themselves were in good condition in spite of being housed in the sheep shed.

The investigation led to a chase that involved a car chase as well as a chase on foot to track down and arrest the suspects. The sting operation was carried out by police detectives, border police officers and soldiers from the IDF.

In addition to the Sifrei Torah, security forces confiscated a hunting rifle, various munitions, and 55 boxes of fireworks.

The five suspects are all in their 20’s and are residents of Jerusalem, Shechem, and Kfar Akraba. They will be brought before a magisterial court in Tel Aviv on Sunday to be remanded into police custody.

The Sifrei Torah are currently being kept safe by the police as they are crucial pieces of evidence against the suspects.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)